Losing sleep can impact how well you function during the day at work or school. Obstructive sleep apnea, or OSA, can leave you feeling exhausted and deprive you of the sleep you need. The disorder occurs when the tissue in your throat and the back of your mouth become overly relaxed, collapsing and cutting off airflow. You stop breathing for brief periods until the brain wakes you, often hundreds of times each night. What can you do to sleep better? How do you recognize the signs of OSA?
Try Our Sleep Better Quiz
- True or False: Losing weight can help address OSA.
- True or False: Changing your sleeping habits can help you rest better.
- True or False: Untreated sleep apnea can lead to complications.
- True or False: Chronic snoring can be a warning sign of OSA.
Answer Key
- True. Obesity has been linked to obstructive sleep apnea. Losing weight through diet and exercise can often help you sleep better.
- True. There are other factors that can help reduce the severity of sleep apnea. For example, sleeping on your side instead of your back. In addition, you can maintain a regular sleep schedule, waking up and going to bed at the same times every night. We also suggest keeping your bedroom dark, cool, and free of distractions, such as TVs or smartphones.
- True. Without treatment, sleep apnea has been linked to depression, high blood pressure, stroke, and heart attack.
- True. Along with snoring, other potential warning signs may include moodiness, daytime exhaustion, and episodes of waking up gasping for air or choking. If you have any questions about diagnosing or treating sleep apnea, then please contact our office today. We can discuss possible treatment options, such as a custom-made oral appliance.
ABOUT YOUR ASTORIA, NY, DENTIST:
Jeffrey Leibowitz, DDS, a native New Yorker, has welcomed patients and families from in and around Astoria, NY (including Queens, Manhattan, Brooklyn, and all surrounding communities) since opening his dental practice in 1991. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Leibowitz, call our office in Astoria today at 718-728-8320.
